EZ Ball Golf Ball Receptacle and Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A golf ball dispensing system comprising a bucket of golf balls wherein the bucket has an internal incline and a hole covered by a hingedly mounted L-shaped door so that when the door is tapped by a putter one golf ball is allowed to enter the inside of the L of L-shaped door, and the L-shaped door pivots at a hinge, releasing the ball from the inside of L to the outside of the bucket.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/038,793 filed Aug. 18,2014, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “EZ Ball Golf BallReceptacle and Dispenser,” which is incorporated herein by reference asthough the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of sports equipment, andmore specifically to the field of golf ball holders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for golf ball holders. Amongthese are:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,391 to Robert J. Karr describes a golf ball storageand dispensing apparatus that includes a dispenser unit and a storageunit connected to the dispenser unit and adapted to store a plurality ofgolf balls. An actuator mechanism is mounted in the dispenser unit withthe golf balls being fed from the storage unit to the actuatormechanism. The actuator mechanism comprises a motor including a powersource, an arm mechanism pivotable about a support shaft between asubstantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position,and a gear train assembly having a series of interacting toothed gearwheels, the gear train assembly being intermediate the motor and the armmechanism. The actuator mechanism also comprises a reciprocating rodbetween the gear train assembly and the arm mechanism, the rod beingaxially moved by the gear train assembly and having its other endconnected to the support shaft of the arm mechanism. A switch is alsoprovided for activating the actuator mechanism. When actuated, the armmechanism is moved from its vertical to its horizontal position, thegolf ball rolls down the arm mechanism to be deposited adjacent thedispenser unit, and the arm mechanism is returned to its verticalposition. A rotor is mounted to the last shaft of the gear wheel in thegear train assembly. The rotor has a body portion mounted on the rotorshaft, a rotor arm and a pin extending from the body portionsubstantially parallel to the rotor shaft. The rod has a series of fouropen ended slots therein with the rotor shaft being located in the firstand third slot and the pin being located in the second and fourth slot,as the rotor turns through approximately three hundred sixty degrees andback again. At the completion of each aforementioned turn, the rotor armstrikes a switch to reverse the current in the motor and switch off themotor respectively.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,558 to James K. Hoffman describes a plurality ofgolf balls stored in a canister from which they are received by avertical supply tube that supports the canister. From the tube, theballs move into a delivery arm that carries a release mechanism on itsouter end. Actuation of the release mechanism when the arm is in itsdelivery position causes a ball to be dispensed onto a tee. The arm,which is supported by a sleeve surrounding the supply tube, is thenrotated about a vertical axis until it extends rearwardly and out of theway in a rest position. The supply tube is provided with openings withwhich the arm is alignable on either side so the apparatus is operatedin a right handed or left handed mode.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,983 Raymond L. Melton to describes a semiautomaticgolf ball dispensing apparatus which includes a means for storing aplurality of golf balls, a means for selecting a particular golf ballfrom the plurality and a means for delivering the selected golf ball tothe awaiting tee. In one form of the invention, a fulcrum base isprovided for pivotally mounting a ramp which includes counterweights soas to normally bias the ramp in an upright position out of the way ofthe players club swing. The ramp includes a guide means for rollablydirecting a selected ball to be delivered to the golf tee and such guidemeans includes a resilient helical member carried on the end of the rampfor stabilizing and balancing the ball on the tee. The opposite end ofthe ramp is positioned adjacent the opening of a tubular memberconnected to a hopper containing the plurality of golf balls. Thetubular member is angularly disposed with respect to the ramp so that aseries of balls from the hopper are delivered one at a time to the ramp.The ramp is manually pivotable so that its incline slopes with respectto the end of the tubular member whereby a selected ball is gravity fedto the ramp for delivery to the tee. Selector means in the form of atooth cooperating with an opening in the tube effectively permits theleading ball of the plurality in the tube to be introduced to the rampwhile preventing the balls behind the leading ball from leaving thetube. By this means, only a single selected ball is introduced to theramp for delivery to the tee.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,171,299 to Clay C. Beckett describes a teeing machinewith a movable ball delivering chute which is normally positioned at apoint substantially remote from the tee and well out of the way of aperson addressing a ball on the tee. This golf ball teeing machine hasan operating lever positioned at a point substantially remote from thetee but operable from the tee position by a golf club in the hand of auser of the tee. It is a further object of the invention to provide animproved golf ball delivery chute and chute operating mechanism whichco-operates with a tee.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf balldispensing system that enables users to place a ball on a teeing matfrom an upright body position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prototypical functional diagonal view showing a golf ballbeing ejected through an opened side panel located on the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a prototypical functional diagonal close up view showing how agolfer uses a golf putter to push in the aforementioned side panellocated on the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a prototypical functional diagonal close up view showing howthe aforementioned side panel begins to spring open as theaforementioned golfer quickly draws the aforementioned golf putter backfrom the side panel.

FIG. 4 is a prototypical functional diagonal close up view showing howthe aforementioned side panel fully springs open upon removal ofaforementioned golf putter and dispenses one golf ball on the ground.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view showing the internal components of thegolf ball dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a close up cutaway side view of the golf ball dispenser of thepresent invention showing the L-shaped door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Golf is one of the most popular recreational and competitive sports inthe world and possesses a rich history. Roman emperors apparently playeda relaxing game called paganica, using a bent stick to drive a soft,feather stuffed ball. Over the next five centuries, the game developedon several continents and eventually evolved into a popular Scottishgame known as golfe. Various European countries had games resemblingpaganica such as cambuca in England, jeu de mail in France, and hetkolven in the Netherlands. These paganica derived games were played inthe American colonies as early as the year sixteen hundred fifty seven.The Scottish game, however, is the direct ancestor of the modern game.More than approximately twenty three million people in the states playgolf including over approximately eleven thousand professional players.A relaxing game of strategy and skill, this outdoor sport is a favoredpastime of men, women, and even children.

Golf clubs and a small ubiquitous ball are necessary components of playon a golf course. It becomes taxing for any golfer to constantly benddown to put a golf ball in place, especially for golfers who areelderly, obese, arthritic, or have simple back and joint pain. Due toexcessive bending down, these golfers experience soreness and discomfortafter beginning play, which adversely affects their game.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the present invention, hereinafter referredto as EZ Ball Golf Ball Receptacle and Dispenser 10, or simply EZ Ball,is a golf ball dispensing system that allows users to place a ball on ateeing mat from an upright position. EZ Ball 10 provides golfers with amore user friendly means of teeing without having to bend over to placetheir ball on the teeing mat. Fabricated of a heavy duty plasticmaterial common to existent golf buckets and squarely or rectangularlyshaped, the EZ Ball bucket 12 measures approximately nine to twelveinches in height, eight to eleven inches in width, and seven to twelveinches in depth. The interior of the EZ Ball bucket holds a multitude ofgolf balls, comprising an internal incline 14 that slopes downward to arectangular dispenser hole 16 which is centrally positioned near thebottom of the bucket adjacent to the ground. The rectangular dispenserhole 16 is covered by an L-shaped door 20. L-shaped door 20 has a corneredge where the two line segments join to make a ninety degree angle. Thearea defined by the two line-segments of the L is defined herein asbeing inside the L. L-shaped door 20 is hingedly mounted to therectangular dispenser hole 16 along the top edge of the rectangulardispenser hole 16. Hinge 22 runs along the corner edge of the L-shapeddoor 20 and connects the door 20 to bucket 12 at the top edge ofrectangular dispenser hole 16.

When door 16 is lightly tapped with the edge of a putter, door 20 ispushed into the bucket 12, allowing one golf ball to enter the inside ofthe L of L-shaped door 20. When the putter is released, gravity allowsL-shaped door 20 to pivot at hinge 22, releasing the ball from theinside of L to the outside of the bucket 12. Constructed in such amanner, EZ Ball is activated with a slight tap of a golf club againstthe door 20. This sequence is shown in FIGS. 2-4. When this activationoccurs, a ball rolls from the EZ Ball bucket on to a teeing mat,instantly ready to play.

In an alternative embodiment, a spring 30 connects the L-shaped door 20to the inside of bucket 14 to provide additional tension to door 20.

A practical yet highly efficient and assistive device, the presentinvention eliminates frustrations often associated with constantlybending downward to place a ball on a tee, mat or turf. Using EZ Ballpermits golfers to avoid muscle strain that results from such a taxingburden on the body. In this manner, patrons of golf driving ranges orgolf courses are able to concentrate fully on their game, which resultsin improved scores when playing at a golf course. Driving rangeestablishments that implement EZ Ball will increase their revenues aswell as receive positive word of mouth advertising from appreciativegolfers. Compact and lightweight, the EZ Ball also is stored easily in agolf bag, readily accessible whenever heading to the range. Constructedof durable, high quality materials and components, the present inventionwill withstand years of continued use and play.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and variousmodifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skillin the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of inventionas described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsand the appended claims.

1. A golf ball dispensing system comprising: a bucket capable of holdinga multiplicity of golf balls, wherein the bucket further comprises aninternal incline that slopes downward to a rectangular dispenser hole,wherein the dispenser hole has a top edge, and wherein the dispenserhole is centrally positioned near the bottom of the bucket, furtherwherein rectangular dispenser hole is covered by an L-shaped door,wherein the L-shaped door is hingedly mounted to the rectangulardispenser hole, by means of a hinge, wherein the hinge runs along thecorner edge of the L-shaped door and connects the door to the bucket atthe top edge of the rectangular dispenser hole.
 2. The golf balldispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a spring connecting theL-shaped door to the inside of bucket to provide additional tension tothe door.
 3. The golf ball dispensing system of claim 1, wherein thebucket is squarely or rectangularly shaped.
 4. The golf ball dispensingsystem of claim 3, wherein the bucket measures approximately nine totwelve inches in height, eight to eleven inches in width, and seven totwelve inches in depth.
 5. The golf ball dispensing system of claim 1,further comprising the bucket having a handle.
 6. A method of dispensinga golf ball comprising tapping an L-shaped door on a bucket containinggolf balls, pushing the door into the bucket with the putter, allowingone golf ball to enter the inside of the L of L-shaped door, releasingthe putter, allowing the L-shaped door to pivot at a hinge, releasingthe ball from the inside of L to the outside of the bucket.